**Zero Carbon North Somerset** Registered Charity Number: 1164715 www.zcns.org info@zcns.org ## **Zero Carbon North Somerset** Trustee Report - 2024 Dear Supporters and Stakeholders, I am pleased to present the Trustee Report for Zero Carbon North Somerset (ZCNS) for the year 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024. The aim of our group is to enable North Somerset to move towards net zero by supporting environmental and climate focused community groups. ## **Financial Overview** Thanks to funding grants our financial capacity has grown. In 2024, we received funding from: - Quartet Express Grant (£3,579.00). - Megawatt Community Energy Grant (£4,000.00). These funds were allocated as follows: - £3586.17 was used to hire a freelancer. - £95.36 was dedicated to administrative costs, ensuring the efficient operation of our charity. ## **Programme Highlights** Throughout 2024, we achieved several significant milestones: 1. We continued to benefit from Freelancer support who have played a role in managing our administration, website, emails, and communications. Their efforts Page **1** of **4** **Zero Carbon North Somerset** Registered Charity Number: 1164715 www.zcns.org info@zcns.org also helped increase awareness of our work through social media and community outreach. 2. Significant progress on updating of website, calendar of (low carbon) events and liaison with various community groups and stakeholders. 3. Begun the development and feasibility studies for a pilot scheme Library of Things for community groups in North Somerset to understand which items would be useful for groups. In addition, discussions were held with other Library of Things to aid our success. 4. Begun setting up the LendEngine platform (a platform used for Library of Things). 5. We promoted local ‘ **Climate Action Stories** ’ to celebrate and inspire sustainable actions by individuals and groups in North Somerset. 6. Engaged in our local councils quarterly Climate and Sustainability partnership meetings. ## **Challenges and Future Plans** While we celebrate our successes, we also acknowledge the challenges we face: **1. Limited resources** (both volunteering and staffing) to carry out the growth of membership – we have made significant progress with member engagement, but volunteer numbers are still low and it is difficult to engage members in the community with our organisation. **2. National and central government challenges** - in the coming year, we will expand our advocacy efforts to promote sustainable policies and engage with stakeholders at both a local and national level. We will choose to focus on local campaigns and build up local engagement with our local government representatives, such as by attending the Climate & Sustainability Partnership community meetings and other meetings with our local council. Page **2** of **4** **Zero Carbon North Somerset** Registered Charity Number: 1164715 www.zcns.org info@zcns.org ## **3. Limited space** - While developing our Library of Things, securing a space to store items and having a ‘shop front’ has been a challenge. With little support from the council so far, we’re actively seeking partnerships or shared spaces to move this forward. In the meantime we propose to use upporter spaces (peoples’ garages) as local collection hubs. ## **Transparency and Accountability** We are committed to maintaining the trust of our supporters. Full financial records are available on request, and we welcome questions, feedback, or offers of collaboration at any time. ## **Acknowledgments** We would like to thank our funders and volunteers who empower us to make a positive impact on the local community and environment. ## **Looking Ahead** As we move into 2025, we remain committed to building a more sustainable and connected local community. A key focus will be the continued development of our _Community Group Library of Things_ —an initiative designed to support local organisations in adopting reusable, eco-friendly solutions for sourcing equipment for events and meetings. We aim to develop stronger collaboration between community groups by linking this initiative with existing networks such as Repair Cafes and other sharing schemes across North Somerset. By strengthening these partnerships, we hope to create a more resilient and resourceful local network. Page **3** of **4** **Zero Carbon North Somerset** Registered Charity Number: 1164715 www.zcns.org info@zcns.org In addition, we hope to launch a series of events covering vital sustainability topics, including energy efficiency, and feature expert guest speakers. Elizabeth Watts _Trustee and Secretary_ Zero Carbon North Somerset Page **4** of **4** for year ended 31st De¢ember 2024 7xro Carbon North Someraev. ': 176&76 3J79.1X) 4.(MX).(M) 7J79AD T•tsl -3.681.53 4h81J3 Total &897A7 Cunrnt a%￿ (c•sh kn hnk) Cwxent liabililies AJ•ets 66623 Home EuerLV Task Force" 1•,06123 IMeom¢ 7.1￿.{￿) 7,INJO.00 T•t•l -lJ34.f2 Surpkn Transfer to Lloy& Dep81t ￿￿lMt Bthce sheel 31st De¢•b¢r 2024 Current &98ets (C￿ in bank) 3.72631 12296.91 Net AM¢ts Pryel i 3.681.53 lJ34.Y2 Total &oi Totsl 6,66623 16.02322 Total 10,63154• 10,632.54_ 240.1M)_ 111392J4 12296.91 12,296.91 Total Aelul Zero Carbon North Somerset Aeeollnts for year ended 31st Deeember 2024 wA4zK . •Nol¢ Pa8e12